Write to Love You

CHAPTER 2

VIANCE'S POV

I shook my head many times and stood up. Still firmed to my decision not to ever do such a rush in each of my projects, and never ever accept a project if clients contribute only money, and no single plot nor idea for it. Carrying with me my plate, I went to the kitchen of my condo and put the dishes in the sink. Then head my way to the nearby refrigerator and grab a pitcher of cold water. That is when I saw Raniel in my peripheral vision. He just followed me here. He also put his dishes in the sink and turned on the faucet, then one by one, he washed the dishes we ate.

Raniel was supposed to be just a friend and an assistant who will help me in my ghostwriting career. But he has become a huge part of my life now. Because of our strong friendship, and the fact that I don't have any parents or relatives left, we became so close. Too close to consider like brothers and sisters. He is actually the one in charge in my kitchen if he wants to eat here. I know it's weird, 'cause he's the visitor and I should be the one preparing and cleaning the messy things here in my condo, but he always insists on doing it. Well, I'm not excellent at cooking and cleaning, it's a wonderful decision. He's quite my opposite version. Actually, he's more like a girl than me, in every aspect.

Raniel is too clean and a workaholic inside the household parameters. While I'm the messy one but workaholic, in writing or in literal work.

“By the way, I bought something for you.” He dried his hand with the hand towel on the side of the sink, after finishing what he was doing, and returned to the living room. I just followed him with my gaze. It didn't take long for him to return, bringing something in his hands.

“Here.” He handed me three colored crochet tulips.

“I saw a kid selling that crochet tulips yesterday, and I remembered you. You love tulips, right?”

There's a red one, a yellow one and a pink one. He knew me very well. A genuine smile quickly formed on my lips as I stared at the tulips.

“I was planning on giving you crochet tulips is much better than real tulip flowers. That will last a long time 'cause that doesn't wither. You can stare at it anytime you want without worrying when it will last.”

Just instantly, I seem to have lost all my problems. For a moment, I forgot all about the pending projects and Brianna's operation. Everything feels to loosen up and as seconds passes by, I feel better.

“Thank you,” I mouthed at him, and with full of joy, I rerouted my gaze to him, seeing him now so close to me.

“For you. You are always welcome, V.”

THESE TULIPS LOOK so real. So beautiful. I can go straight for hours by just staring at these. Great way to calm my messy mind, redirecting me into more peaceful thoughts.

Oh, how I love tulips!

My gaze rerouted to my phone as I heard it vibrate. Just my morning alarm. I set aside the tulips I've been holding after I woke up and got up from bed. I just did my morning routine—take a shower, then have breakfast and sit at my writing table, and start doing my work, finishing the remaining backlogs.

It's almost lunch when I finally finish the project with Mr. Rivera. It was a content for his personal blog and his short story, with fantasy genre. Mr. Rivera is a 25-year arising influencer, actor, and an aspiring author. He has been my loyal client for almost a year. I have been his ghostwriter s***h personal content writer. I write most of his blogs, articles, stories, and even speeches.

I fixed the file and then emailed it to Raniel. All my finished outputs go through him. He is the editor and proofreader of all my works. As you can see, he isn't just my assistant; he is literally more than that. Raniel is more than what you expect or see him. He's the one in charge of finalizing everything and polish it as close to perfection as possible.

A minute passed, my phone rang, and I picked it up. I saw the caller ID. It's Raniel.

“You received it?” I openly asked him.

He just hummed. I just heard some rustling before he spoke. His voice seems to have just woken up.

“Yes, I'm about to open it. I just woke up. We went to a bar last night after our dinner. Kael was heartbroken again, and Mom told me. I had no choice but to guard and watch him. You know how low that kid's alcohol tolerance is .”

Kael or Michael Andrei Tuballes Puedan is his younger stepbrother, on his mom's side. His parents separated when he was 10 years old and been in the custody of his mom 'til he graduated from in his college. He moved out after he graduated. His condo is actually three streets away from mine. Although he also has a condo here in the same building as mine located, but he only stays there every weekend.

I actually met Raniel, two years after he graduated, at one of my book signing. He's been ahead of me for one year. Before I pursue ghostwriting, I already had published my book. I am an author of two novel books with romantic tragedy in its genre. My parents were authors too. They were great—no, super great and well-known authors during their times, but they are already in heaven. Almost 10 years already.

“Also, I’m also about to finish the memoir of Mrs. Hazel. I might send it in an hour or two.”

I heard the tapping of his computer keyboard on the other line. He remained silent, so I just went to my kitchen. I put my phone on the loudspeaker first before placing it on the counter and then grabbed something to eat from the fridge. I just got chocolate cereal and cold fresh milk. Then take a medium bowl from the mini-cupboard that is placed above the kitchen sink.

“I will proofread this then and will notify Mr. Rivera about this before the day ends.”

I replied to him okay, then continue making my lunch, which I just mixed with the milk and cereal. I am too lazy to cook or order my lunch, that would just take so much time.

“Do you have anything to add, V?” I stopped and then took my phone, leaning the back of my butt against the kitchen sink.

“Yes.”

“What is it?” he asked calmly ask. I could still hear him typing on his keyboard.

“I know it’s only Friday, but can we go to the Home of Hope this afternoon?” I asked.

Home of Hope is a small orphanage. A simple and peaceful place for children who were abandoned by their parents. It’s located in a quite secluded area in the southern part of our province. It’s a home for children who don’t have a family anymore.

The weekends are our both free days of the week from writing and other business agendas. Although, Sunday is our agreed schedule to visit Home of Hope, and that happens every week.

“If you’re only free and can accompany me. I would understand if you will be with Kael late.”

“I’ll clear my schedule for later. I’ll fetch you up by 3?” I was stunned for a moment by what I heard, but immediately smile.

“Thank you.”

With that, I ended the call and finally ate my lunch. Then after I continue finishing the memoir of Mrs. Hazel. It would be an easy and fast craft.

“THAT’S VERY GOOD to hear. Yes! But are you sure about that?”

After I left the condominium where I was staying, I immediately saw Raniel standing next to his red car. Parked near the entrance of the building.

“Okay. That’s impressive. I will ready it,” I overheard him talking on the phone.

It didn’t take him much time to notice that I was already on his side. He gave a small smile and nod, then finished the call.

“You seem so happy.” I commented.

“Yes. The project is okay!”

My forehead creased into tiny lines in response to what he just said.

“It was actually Ella's manager, informing me about the project. She said Ella finally agreed with our given conditions and was ready to sign the contract. We can start with her trilogy right after she sent us the plot, and the information we needed for her story.” He opened the door of the front passenger seat as he continued to speak.

“That means we can close the deal and have enough funds for Brianna's expenses.” When he made sure that I was sitting properly, he sat in the passenger seat. And then drive our way to the orphanage.

It's about an hour and a half drive to the Home of Hope Orphanage. It's quite far from the city, that's why.

“Okay, but I'm just saying now that I don't feel good about that, Ella. I don't exactly know why. There's something about her that makes my blood boil right away. Maybe, first, it's because she's arrogant, then she's obviously a spoiled bra—”

“But it's you who said this before, 'work is work'. Don't involve nor let personal emotions to plunge into the works. We must not show bias or involve ourselves personally with our clients.” He cut my words.

“I'm just saying my hunch. It's not good.”

He just shook his head and focused on the road. I didn't even bother to speak and chose to just use my time to nap. Where silence immediately enveloped the surroundings.

“V?”

I FEEL THE gentle touch of a warm palm on my cheek, at the same time as Raniel's voice calling my name. He stroked his index finger a few more times before I felt his palm move to my left arm, patting it.

“V, we're here,” I heard him say. “We're just outside the Gate. I woke you up before we went in.” I sat up and yawned for a while.

I stared at the red gate of the orphanage outside the windshield of the car.

Home of Hope orphanage seems to never grow old. This place has been my safe place ever since my parents died. When my parents were still alive, they used to help this orphanage. I remembered countless memories of them here. They used to take me here and spend my weekend with other children. I don't know, but those were so wonderful memories of my childhood. Now that they're gone, I never thought of letting them go. Except for their books, I remember them more here. This place has been so close to my heart ever since I stepped in here.

“I'll inform Sister Reynalin that we're here.” I nodded, my eyes still settled on the gate.

I'm always here every Sunday, but the exact feeling of going to a home still feels the same.

It was also the place that reminds me of someone. Someone who used to be so close to my heart.

“V?”

Like my parents, he’s gone, but his memories linger. Even if I brushed it off my mind, those times still popped up sometimes.

“Sister Reynalin said Brianna was still sleeping, although the other children were just playing in the playground,” he informed.

“Are you okay?” he added, when he sensed that I still focused my attention on the gate. I nodded as I’ve felt Raniel’s hand in my arms. Then, immediately tried to plaster an almost fake smile on my lips.

“Yes, let’s go?” I turned away from him. And buried those memories back in the past.